News

The Commonwealth Bank and Wesley Mission Sydney today launched the Give Kids a Chance to Shine Christmas Appeal which will help raise much-needed funds for thousands of disadvantaged NSW families.

People will have the opportunity to donate to the Christmas appeal at Commonwealth Bank branches across the State.

The appeal will help support a range of services including Wesley Mission’s family, youth support and mentoring programs.

“Our charities see the human cost of childhood adversity: our counsellors and care workers engage daily with homelessness, poverty, suicide, addiction, mental illness and disengaged and disadvantaged young people,” said the CEO of Wesley Mission, the Rev Keith Garner.

“Mentoring and support is vital to the viability and health of future generations. Wesley Mission and participating charities are deeply thankful to the Commonwealth Bank, its staff and customers for supporting this Christmas appeal.”

Barbara Chapman, Group Executive HR and Group Services, the Commonwealth Bank said, “The Bank is a strong advocate of mentoring and youth support programs and believes in providing young Australians with the best possible start in life.”

“The Commonwealth Bank has youth mentoring programs in all states through initiatives like the Australian Business and Community Network."

“We hope that Australians support the Give Kids a Chance to Shine Christmas Appeal or help out in their communities through local mentoring programs,” said Ms Chapman.

Adult mentors and role models play a vital part in helping children overcome trauma and adversity in later life according to research conducted in NSW.

The Wesley Report, Beyond Adversity: giving kids a chance to shine showed that adults who suffered trauma as children were better able to deal with set backs in later life if they were supported by a mentor as a child.

The study of more than 600 people revealed that mothers, grandparents, friends and teachers were the most significant role models and mentors for people who had suffered childhood trauma.

Some 56 per cent of respondents who indicated they had a close and supportive relationship with an adult mentor or role model as a child were classified as resilient.
 
“While formal mentoring programs should be tailored to an individual’s interests and skills, greater community and government investment should be made in mentoring programs to at risk and disadvantaged groups,” the Rev Garner said. “That is why the Commonwealth Bank’s support of family support and youth mentoring programs through the Give Kids a Chance to Shine Christmas Appeal is so important.”

Charities participating in the Give Kids a Chance to Shine Christmas Appeal include:

New South Wales	Wesley Mission Sydney
South Australia	UnitingCare Wesley Port Adelaide
Queensland	Wesley Mission Brisbane
Victoria	Wesley Mission Melbourne
Western Australia	UnitingCare West
Tasmania	UnitingCare Bridgewater and Gagebrook
Northern Territory	Somerville Community Services Inc.

The appeal will run until Christmas Eve, 24 December and donations can be made through any Commonwealth Bank branch nationally.

Graeme Cole
Public Affairs Manager
Wesley Mission, Sydney   
Phone (02) 9263-5350     
Mob: 0408 470 722
E-mail: graeme.cole@wesleymission.org.au

Steve Batten
Commonwealth Bank
Phone: (02) 9378 2504
Mob: 0411 080 268
Email: steve.batten@cba.com.au